At Mind Body Therapy, we believe in providing you the highest quality care. Each of our mental health therapists offers a different area of specialization so that we can meet your unique needs. What all our therapists have in common is a warm and personable presence, an open mind, and the desire to see you thrive.
Our Approach
These values shape the way we work and how we show up in session.
Individual Attention
Steady Presence
Curiosity Before Assumption
Connection Builds Change
Meet the Team
Yakov Danishefsky
Yakov is a highly sought after therapist specializing in trauma, couples counseling, and sex addiction. He is recognized for his intuition in identifying the deeper causes and wounds that underly presenting symptoms.
Yakov focuses on Somatic Experiencing therapy together with Attachment Theory and Parts Therapy.
Many clients have remarked that after working with Yakov for one session they feel they got more than they had in years’ worth of previous therapy. As the founder and clinical direction of Mind Body Therapy, Yakov is passionate about creating a culture of individualized, dedicated, and high-quality therapy.
Jeremy (Yechiel) Bresler
Yechiel’s presence is like a steady anchor amidst a stormy sea. And he is as insightful and personable as he is calming.
Yechiel is a trauma-informed, relationship-focused therapist. He offers a deep understanding of human emotions and the power of connection. Yechiel fuses his trauma training, including EMDR and IFS, along with an attachment based approach (EFIT), to help clients heal from past wounds, navigate current challenges, and foster deep and healthy relationships.
Yechiel enjoys working with individuals, parent-child relationships, and couples.
Ethel (Etty) Gugenheim
You will be hard-pressed to find anyone more knowledgeable than Etty when it comes to eating disorders and body image struggles. She is a true guru and master of her craft. When you meet Etty, you will find a gentle expert who is both seasoned and curious. Etty is willing to go above and beyond to help her clients achieve personal growth and emotional well-being.
Her therapeutic style fosters a safe and supportive environment where clients can explore their inner world, identify blockages, and empower themselves to make meaningful changes. She draws from a variety of evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Internal Family Systems(IFS), and EMDR. Etty also emphasizes the importance of self-compassion, acceptance, and becoming attuned to oneself and others as essential components of healing.
Etty is particularly passionate about advocating for mental health and educating others. She finds great joy in working with parents to better understand their children and improve their ability to support them. She also specializes in supporting partners of those struggling with sex addiction, self-harm, depression, anxiety, and trauma.
Abraham (Nesanel) Siegal
No one creates a space of unconditional acceptance like Abe. How he does it? We’re still trying to figure out, but one way or another, there is nothing as un-shaming and cathartic as talking to Abe.
He always finds a way to see the good in people, accept people’s flaws without judgement, yet still work with them to confront and improve the areas that need attention and development.Drawing from a blend of evidence-based therapeutic approaches and insights from deep spiritual wisdom, he works collaboratively with clients to cultivate personal growth, emotional well-being, and meaningful change.
Abe emphasizes the importance of aligning one’s actions with core values, embracing discomfort as a path to transformation, and fostering a sense of connection—to oneself, to others, and to a greater purpose. His approach is compassionate, insightful, and tailored to each individual’s unique journey.
Mordecai (Matthew) Katz
Before becoming a therapist, Mordecai Katz spent years teaching high school social studies in inner-city Chicago—an experience that shaped his deep empathy and his belief in people’s capacity to grow, even in the toughest circumstances. That same commitment to others led him to open a law practice right in the neighborhood where he taught, juggling courtrooms by day and coaching the debate team by night.
Eventually, Mordecai followed his passion for helping people on a deeper level. He went back to school—yes, again—and earned master's degrees in social work, business, and divinity from the University of Chicago. He also studied Jewish philosophy and spirituality, bringing a thoughtful, well-rounded perspective to his work.
As a therapist, Mordecai blends academic rigor with real-world compassion. He's trained in trauma-informed therapy, couples counseling, ACT, IFS, EFT, and more. He’s currently earning his Level 1 IFS certification and has taught graduate-level courses on topics like psychoanalytic therapy, Jungian theory, and mental health diagnosis.
Whether you're struggling with anxiety, relationship challenges, addiction, spiritual questions, or just feeling stuck, Mordecai creates a safe, grounded space to do the work. He brings warmth, humor, and deep respect for each person's journey. Clients often say they feel truly seen, heard, and empowered after working with him.
He's been with Mind Body Therapy for over three years and continues to help people move through pain toward meaningful change.
Malka Bender
Malka specializes in the treatment of complex trauma, anxiety disorders, and eating disorders. Her integrative approach draws from extensive training in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, parts work therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Attachment-Based Therapy, and clinical hypnosis. She works with a strong foundation in somatic psychology, affective neuroscience, and trauma-informed care, emphasizing the mind-body connection in the healing process.
She is dedicated to creating a collaborative and compassionate space grounded in safety, curiosity, and connection- where clients can tap into their inner strengths, build resilience, and embark on a meaningful journey of healing and growth.
Isabel Santos
Isabel is a Ph.D. student in School Psychology at Loyola University Chicago, where she also earned her Master’s in Educational Psychology.
Her training spans clinical and school settings, including neuropsychological assessment, crisis intervention, special education evaluation, counseling support for youth, and she brings this insight and warmth to her role as Client Care Coordinator. Her work at Mind Body Therapy expands her training by deepening her
understanding of the operational side of mental health care. Isabel draws on her background to ensure that each client’s interaction with the practice feels welcoming, supportive, and thoughtfully organized.
Isabel can be reached at isabel@mindbodychicago.com
Orly Avidor
Orly is a compassionate and down-to-earth therapist who specializes in helping individuals break free from the grip of alcohol addiction. She understands how overwhelming and isolating the struggle can feel, and she’s passionate about walking alongside her clients as they rediscover hope, resilience, and a healthier path forward.
Her approach blends professional expertise with genuine empathy. She creates a safe, non-judgmental space where clients feel heard and supported, while also providing the structure and tools needed for real, lasting change. Whether it’s developing healthier coping strategies, repairing relationships, or building confidence in sobriety, Orly is committed to guiding each person at their own pace.
Beyond her specialty in alcohol addiction, Orly also works with a wide range of mental health challenges and life transitions. But at the heart of her practice is a belief that recovery is possible—and that no one has to go through it alone.
What makes Mind Body Therapy different isn’t just what we do. It’s how we do it.
- Personalized attention in every session
- Thoughtful, evidence-based approaches that go beyond surface solutions
- Skilled therapists with diverse training and specialties
- A strong focus on trust, emotional safety, and authentic connection
- Real results that clients often describe as “life-changing”
- We are not "rent a friend" therapy, we actually care to help you confront your challenges and get to your goals
Let's Talk About What Matters to You
Therapy begins with a simple connection. Reach out when it feels right, we’re here to listen and help you find the right next step.
